Rhode Island, Utah tighten limits on non-domiciled CDLs

In 2025, Duffy declared a national emergency audit over safety and driver qualification concerns about the issuance of licenses. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg)

Losses of foreign truck drivers could exceed a federal projection of 200,000 as more states restrict non-domiciled licenses, with Rhode Island and Utah the latest to curb the credentials.

When the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration earlier this year adopted a more stringent non-domiciled commercial driver license regulation, it estimated 200,000 drivers who held this credential would no longer qualify — forcing them to exit.

This estimate didn’t include potential driver losses arising if states opted to stop issuing these CDLs and commercial learner’s permits. Though FMCSA regulates CDL licensing, only states are empowered to issue these driving credentials.

In 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy declared a national emergency audit over safety and driver qualification concerns about the issuance of licenses. While states aren’t required to issue these licenses, which are primarily held by foreign drivers, most at that time did. Exceptions included Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Now the tide is changing. States are revoking illegally issued CDLs, and an increasing number of state agencies are ending non-domiciled licensing to avoid noncompliance issues under the tougher new federal regulation.

Illinois could lose federal funding if they don’t fix their non-domiciled CDL issuing process.
“This is about safety — making sure all licenses are issued properly and that we have the best qualified drivers on our roadways,” – FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs on Fox Chicago 32 pic.twitter.com/35okBEFAon — FMCSA (@FMCSA) February 20, 2026

Rhode Island is among the latest states to permanently stop issuing non-domiciled CDLs, while Utah has put an indefinite pause on issuing them.

“Rhode Island is currently not issuing non-domiciled CDLs and does not anticipate issuing them in the future,” Paul Grimaldi, spokesperson for the state Department of Revenue, told Transport Topics.

He said the state had 177 non-domiciled CDLs, but only 113 are active and will not be replaced.

FMCSA allowed Utah to resume issuing these licenses and granted one to a qualified driver from November 2025 to Jan. 20, 2026.

Stephanie Dinsmore, communications and public affairs director for the Utah Department of Public Safety, said no non-domiciled CDLs were revoked directly due to the new FMCSA regulation, but “far fewer people are eligible” and many current holders may be unable to renew.

“About three individuals who currently hold a non-domiciled CDL are thought to qualify under the new regulations if their visa type is reissued,” Dinsmore said, adding Utah officials “have decided to continue our moratorium on issuing new non-domiciled CDLs” since so few drivers meet current standards.

So far this year, Ohio and Oregon have ended issuing non-domiciled CDLs. Nevada stopped after it was audited last year.

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced recently it was notifying 5,000 truckers they would receive either a revocation notice or a letter saying their non-domiciled license is valid only until it expires.

“The state of Ohio does not intend to resume issuing new non-domiciled CDLs in the future nor will it renew any of the existing revalidated non-domiciled CDLs after they expire,” BMV spokesman Bret Crow said.

In March, Oregon revoked the driving credentials of 900 foreign truckers as the Oregon Transportation Commission ordered a permanent end to issuing limited-term CDLs and commercial learner’s permits at the request of the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services.

Meanwhile, many states have been completing required FMCSA corrective actions and gaining approval to restart issuing non-domiciled CDLs.

Iowa, for example, completed a review, and has canceled and revoked 173 non-domiciled credentials.

On March 2, the state resumed issuing these licenses. Through June 19, it issued 504 non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs under revised FMCSA regulation and applicable exemptions, said Bonnie Harris, spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division.

“Iowa has worked closely with FMCSA throughout this process to ensure full compliance with federal requirements while minimizing disruptions for qualified commercial drivers,” Harris said. “Iowa will continue to monitor FMCSA guidance and adjust its processes as necessary to maintain compliance while serving eligible commercial drivers.”